I have shockwave flash object file (.swf) and it's corresponding meta file. But I can't play it in either Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox 3.0.11. I tried to install Adobe Shockwave player. Still, I can't play the swf file. As far as I know and remember, I can play this file type in most web browsers.

I am using Windows XP Professional SP 3.

My question is : What are the things I need to check/do so I can play this type of file?

Most SWF files can be played with the Flash player. It sounds like it might be a corrupted file rather than a problem with your machine. Can you download and view other SWF files now? Try this one, for instance: http://www.britarch.ac.uk/caf/wikka.php?wakka=TestSWF